President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on everyone to put their weight behind implementing the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act so that all children receive a good quality education regardless of their circumstances.
“The passage of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act is part of ongoing efforts to build an education system that is more effective and more equitable.
“Among other things, the Act provides for early learning foundations to be strengthened, promotes greater accountability of parents for their children’s learning and promotes inclusivity in the classroom,” the President said on Saturday.
President Ramaphosa was speaking at the 24th instalment of the National Teaching Awards as the globe commemorates World Teacher’s Day at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
He explained that the spirit and purpose of this new legislation was to ensure there was uniformity and fairness in educational standards between schools and across the country.
Last month, President Ramaphosa signed the Bill into law but delayed the implementation of two clauses 4 and 5, which deal with school admissions and language, by three months to make room for more discussion and deliberations after it received some opposition.
“In the interests of inclusivity, we have created space for engagement among some concerned parties on aspects of the legislation. But that process cannot undermine the transformational nature of this law.”
Meanwhile, the President told the people gathered at the conference centre that in order to produce more learners who excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, South Africa needs to invest more in supporting and upskilling its teachers and arm them with necessary resources.
“In some schools, resources are plenty, the schoolyard is safe, there are basic amenities, the pupil-teacher ratio is appropriate, and learning takes place in good conditions. But in others, educators struggle to obtain even the most basic resources for teaching, schools lack safe toilets and running water, and crime and violence from outside the school inevitably finds its way in.”
However, according to the President, South Africa has made much progress in narrowing the gaps between schools.
He said government was working to strengthen the foundations of early learning to ensure successful education outcomes in the future.
The President announced that the education curriculum was being revised, updated and reformed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world.
“With the high rate of youth unemployment in our country, educators need to ensure that our schools are producing the skills our economy needs. They need to ensure that every school leaver has the confidence and capabilities that enable them to study further, find employment or be self-employed.
“We are working to fully implement the three-stream model, which offers academic, vocational and occupational pathways for learners. Educators play an important role in identifying the best course for a learner.”
Shifting his focus to the National Teaching Awards, he noted that the enduring commitment to honouring educators speaks to their unique and treasured place in the country.
“All of us are who we are because of the teachers we once had. I have the fondest memories of my own teachers at Tshilidzi Primary School in Soweto and Mphaphuli High School in Sibasa, Venda… All these years later, they still hold a special place in my heart,” he told the room full of teachers.
The President described a good teacher as a role model who encourages a child to achieve their potential.
He took the time to congratulate those who were awarded today and acknowledged teacher unions and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) who are working with government to build a resilient education system that meets the challenges of the future.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube thanked President Ramaphosa for his unwavering support not just for her but the sector.
“The future leaders of our country deserves our fervent leadership.” – SAnews.gov.za
